Glasgow Vs Edinburgh: The Verdict

It all boils down to this. How do the two cities line-up over eight key categories? We give our final opinions

The Culture

Glasgow+ A near endless sea of artistic talent, with bleeding-edge creatives elbow-to-elbow with peerless arts institutions.- For there to be an thriving underground there also has to be an oblivious overground.

Food

Glasgow+ Salt and vinegar. The traditionalist’s choice.- There’s a reason Glasvegas regularly pops up in those ‘sick boy of Europe’ health polls.

Edinburgh+ Some of the most inspiring, Michelin-star attracting chefs in the UK have taken up residence in Leith.- It’ll cost £100 to get them to cook lunch for you.

Winner: Edinburgh

Shopping

Glasgow+ Bigger, better shops, excellent vintage, and non-torn-faced shop assistants. Oh, and American Apparel.- The ned factor in the city centre.

Edinburgh+ The string of indie pearls between Victoria Street and West Port. The crafters keeping us in fingerless gloves and bird brooches.- Boys get short-changed on the clothes-shopping front.

Winner: Glasgow

Transport

Glasgow+ Cheap taxis, nifty grid system and an iconic subway.- Annoyingly early last train ride home to or from Edinburgh.

Edinburgh+ You can walk. And you can probably go through the Meadows/Links/Gardens on the way.- Tram works have turned the city into a giant game of Pac-Man.

Winner: Glasgow

Conversation

Glasgow+ Fancy going for a few Pat Lallys down Sleazy’s?- Fancy giving me 20p for the bus home ya nugget?

Edinburgh+ Did you hear about the new season of new writing at The Traverse?- Did you hear about the new range of cruisewear at Jenners?

Winner: Edinburgh

It’s a dead heat at four apiece between the two cities. Glasgow has edged Edinburgh in the cultural stakes, but Edinburgh fought back through some impressive architecture and good food. The shocking truth is that they both have a huge amount to offer, more than we can list here, with enough different strokes to satisfy all sorts of different folks. Take your pick. We’d recommend them both.